1950s 1955 Eldorado - Annoying front suspension squeak

[Lockhouse]

Hi,

Hope someone can assist - I've got a really loud annoying squeak from my front suspension from the contact point where the spring rests on the baseplate. I've correctly torqued the two bolts but it's still there. Any ideas what I'm missing or how I can fix it?

Best regards,

Andy

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

Years ago I had this issue.  The two bolts you refer to are those that hold the shock to its mounting plate.  If the
plate is worn or most likely bent due to wear over the years,
the plate will move. 

To check this, have somebody push down on the fender while you look underneath at the shock.  If you see the shock and bracket moving down and out of the spring cup, then you've found the issue.  There are tabs on the mounting plate that need to be bent back into proper shape to grab the sides of the spring cup to hold it in position.

Hope this helps!

Mike

[PHIL WHYTE CLC 14192]

You need to check that the rubber insulators between the springs and the A arms are still in one piece or even there!

[Lockhouse]

Hi Mike, Phil,

Thanks for the replies. I can't see any movement but then I can't feel any rubber insulators either! There's no apparent damage.

The shop manual is pretty good explaining how the rubbers should be fitted.

As far as I can tell it's part no. 1456575 for the top rubber and 1458941 for the bottom. I think Steele have the top ones but I can't find the lower ones (which are the ones I really need).

Best regards,

Andy

[PHIL WHYTE CLC 14192]

Hi Mike, Phil,

Thanks for the replies. I can't see any movement but then I can't feel any rubber insulators either! There's no apparent damage.

The shop manual is pretty good explaining how the rubbers should be fitted.

As far as I can tell it's part no. 1456575 for the top rubber and 1458941 for the bottom. I think Steele have the top ones but I can't find the lower ones (which are the ones I really need).

Best regards,

Andy

I got mine 20 years ago and there's a long story behind that, the reason I will not deal with a certain Mr Nicodemus. Anyway, I received the wrong ones. I ended up getting some generic spring insulators from a car spares chain in the USA. I had to machine a rounded edge on them which I did with a router. Sorry I can't be more specific about where or what I bought exactly. Phil

[35-709]

"I got mine 20 years ago and there's a long story behind that, the reason I will not deal with a certain Mr Nicodemus."
Ah, another victim of the Nicodemus "let the buyer beware" experience. 

[Roger Zimmermann]

Ah! Mr. Nicodemus...Many years ago, I got the tip to avoid him!
1956 cars don't have the lower rubber on the "A" arm. My ex-56 de Ville and my '56 Biarritz are not doing a front suspension noise. The squeak may come from another element. I suppose you checked the stabilizer bar and the rubber bushing at the frame...

[PHIL WHYTE CLC 14192]

Ah! Mr. Nicodemus...Many years ago, I got the tip to avoid him!
1956 cars don't have the lower rubber on the "A" arm. My ex-56 de Ville and my '56 Biarritz are not doing a front suspension noise. The squeak may come from another element. I suppose you checked the stabilizer bar and the rubber bushing at the frame...

I have a 54 and I thought the 55 would be the same, time to check the parts book....

[PHIL WHYTE CLC 14192]

"I got mine 20 years ago and there's a long story behind that, the reason I will not deal with a certain Mr Nicodemus."
Ah, another victim of the Nicodemus "let the buyer beware" experience. 

Yes, he sent me parts for a 64 and assured me that I had told him I had a 64. I told him that I was in a better position than him to know what car I owned. He got the parts back but I never got my money back.